ESWN has translated Cheng Yizhong’s acceptance speech for the 2005 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize. The Chinese government barred Cheng from traveling to Dakar, Senegal to accept the award:
I want to thank all the saddened relatives, friends and colleagues at Southern Metropolis Daily, New Beijing Daily and the Southern Sports Magazine! At this time last year, terror was everywhere and lies were everywhere. Your persistent small voices were invincible and you blew down the black curtains and tall walls.
I must also thank those politicians who did and then undid the case; if it were not for your recklessness and stupidity, I would not have gained this honor and even more innocents would be swept in broad-sweeping similiar cases. In a society with an imperfect legal system, any false case can be fabricated, and they will also seem serious and perfect from the outside.
